000
AXUS74 KLUB 182016
DGTLUB
Drought Information Statement
National Weather Service Lubbock TX
216 PM CST Thu Jan 18 2018
TXC017-045-069-075-079-101-107-125-153-169-189-191-219-263-269-
279-303-305-345-369-433-437-445-501-202030-
216 PM CST Thu Jan 18 2018
...Drought has gradually developed this winter across the Texas
South Plains Region...
Synopsis...
Severe Drought (D2) has expanded across most of the Texas South
Plains, north into the extreme southern Texas Panhandle, and east
through the Rolling Plains. Extreme Drought (D3) has enveloped
the northern Rolling Plains centered on Cottle County. This
information is from the latest U.S. Drought Monitor product.
Climate Summary...
This drought began in early October and has continued through the
middle of January. Rainfall the past 110 days has mostly been 10 to
30 percent of normal. The past 80 days since the first of
November have been particularly dry with many locations not
receiving any rain. This is the dry season over the southern
plains, of course, yet this dry spell is particularly long and
deep. A La Nina over the Tropical Pacific ocean is responsible for
a split flow weather pattern along the U.S. west coast blocking
Pacific energy and moisture from our area as well as much of the
southwest. Weather systems and available moisture have been
anemic.
Precipitation/Temperature Outlook...
With La Nina peaking, this will be a dominant signal guiding weather
patterns the next several months. Normal to above normal temperatures
and below normal precipitation are expected the remainder of winter
and early spring, interspersed with brief cold, mostly dry spells.
Thereafter, some weakening of La Nina is possible. Equal chances
for dry, normal, and wet conditions along with continuing above
normal temperatures are expected for late spring.
Fire Weather Impacts...
Areas of abundant cured grasses remain from last summers growth,
but new growth has been stunted by winter cold and also lack of
rain. This will help carry fire on windy days. Any upcoming windy,
dry, and warm period will bring a risk of elevated to critical
fire weather conditions.
Agricultural Impacts...
Winter wheat that already has been impacted by lack of rain, may
suffer additionally by occasional bouts of cold. Irrigation needs
will continue for rangelands still being used for forage while
cattle may be pulled from dryland pastures.
Hydrologic Summary and Outlook...
In general, compared to recent years, reservoirs were at fair
storage levels, though most showing recent decline. The following
reservoir conditions were reported January 18, 2018:
RESERVOIR SUMMARY CONSERVATION POOL 24-HR MAXIMUM PERCENT of RAIN
POOL TODAY CHANGE DEPTH CONSERVATION
(feet) Capacity
Mackenzie Lake 3100 3025.8 0.00 76 17 0.00
White River Lake 2370 2350.6 -0.03 24 20 0.00
Lake Alan Henry 2220 2214.4 -0.01 71 85 0.00
Lake Meredith 2936 2888.8 -0.07 76 41
This product will be updated again on February 22, 2018, unless
significant changes occur.
&&
Related Web Sites:
U.S. Drought Monitor:
http://www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu
NOAA Drought Page:
http://www.drought.noaa.gov
Office of the Texas State Climatologist:
http://www.climatetexas.tamu.edu
NWS Precipitation:
http://www.wather.weather.gov/precip
USGS:
http://www.water.usgs.gov
Climate Prediction Center:
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov
USDA:
http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather
Texas Agrilife Extension Agency Crop and Weather Report:
http://today.agrilife.org
Acknowledgements:
The drought monitor is a multi-agency effort involving the National
Weather Service and National Climatic Data Center, the USDA, State and
Regional Center Climatologists, and the National Drought Mitigation
Center. Information for this statement has been gathered from NWS and
FAA observation sites, the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet,
State Cooperative Extension Services, the USDA, USACE, and USGS.
Questions or comments about this product? Please contact:
National Weather Service
2579 S Loop 289 Suite 100
Lubbock TX 79423
Phone: 806-745-4926
E-mail: lub.webmaster@noaa.gov
$$